University of Oxford Alumni

Seminars/lectures/conferences

Internships

Oxford University Micro-Internship Programme

The Micro-Internship Programme offers exclusive work experience placements to Oxford students. We still have opportunities available for students through our Summer Internship Programme. Please see https://www.facebook.com/internshipoffice for further information.

Careers Service - Summer Internship Programme

If you have any questions about the opportunities available, or about your application, please email the Internship Office team at internships@careers.ox.ac.uk.

Summer Teaching Internships

Applications are invited for a limited number of internships that are available in the 2018 summer vacation for current physics undergraduate students in their penultimate year of study.
The programme will include the chance to be involved in:
• structured training, shadowing and lesson observation, opportunities to jointly plan and deliver lessons
• running science projects, offering support for children who are struggling, and helping with experiments
• one to one mentoring sessions with experts in their field
The internships will be for up to 4 weeks each, paid at a rate of £300 per week. The working period will be from the 25th of June to the 20th of July in state secondary schools in Oxfordshire.

Summer Schools/Summer Student Positions

Future Physicist International Summer Camp July 2018

The University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) will organize the 2018 'Future Physicist International Summer Camp', which spans 14 days from July 1st to July 14th 2018. The camp will provide junior students with an exceptional opportunity to combine high-quality learning, hands-on research, and an unforgettable summer experience. International students can immerse themselves in a multicultural environment and gain insights into Chinese culture. USTC and other Chinese students can have a taste of cultural exchange with international students without going abroad. More details available from the website.

Careers

Applied Physicist at Tracerco

Tracerco is a world leader in process diagnostic measurement services and specialist measurement
instrumentation. We add measurable value to our clients, partners and shareholders through the development
and application of intelligent sensing, detection and analysis technologies. Headquarters in Billingham in North
East England, Tracerco employs around 400 people worldwide and is part of the Johnson Matthey Group.
Are you a motivated, enthusiastic, and creative Applied Physicist Do you want to work in our product
development team, helping to deliver the next generation of Tracerco instruments and services? This opportunity
could be for you. Please see poster for more information.

PhD positions - Quantum science - University of Birmingham

The Quantum Matter group at the University of Birmingham has some extra PhD position openings in Quantum Physics for Autumn 2018. You can find more about our group at https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/research/activity/physics/quantum/index.aspx. The projects range from fundamental research in magnetic materials, ultracold atoms and quantum optics, and applied research in quantum technologies.

Quantum Magnetism
Funding is available for UK residents. See description for contact details.

Cold Atoms group
We work with gases of atoms cooled by lasers to almost the absolute zero of temperature, where the world is ruled by quantum mechanics.
• Are you curious about how ultracold atoms trapped in a light interference pattern can simulate quantum natural processes such as photosynthesis?
• Do you want to help figuring out ways of controlling the quantum state of the photons inside a laser beam in order to improve the way we do optical imaging?
• Would you be interested in combining photons and cold atoms in an optical cavity to create hybrid states of light and matter with uncommon quantum properties?
• Would you like to develop ultimate control on how ultracold atoms interact with the environment to discover how quantum mechanics rewrites the laws of thermodynamics at the microscopic level?
If yes then you are ready to apply to the Cold Atom group at the University of Birmingham! Please contact Dr Vincent Boyer at v.boyer@bham.ac.uk
Funding is available on a competitive basis for UK/EU citizens.

Quantum Technology hub
The Quantum Technology Hub for Sensors and Metrology offers an MRes and Phd programme in Translational Quantum Technology AQ.
Both programmes offer a unique opportunity for students to undertake a research in a multi-disciplinary environment between science, engineering and industry. Students benefit from participating in both the technology translation and applied research activities carried out within the UK National Quantum Technology Hub in Sensors and Metrology, and from the educational programmes offered by the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences.
Interested? Contact Dr Vincent Boyer at v.boyer@bham.ac.uk
Funding is available for UK citizens. You can find more information at https://www.quantumsensors.org/study

Studentship in BioPhysics

We have an exciting new DPhil studentship in Biophysics available entitled ‘Pushing the limits of single-molecule fluorescence microscopy to investigate the morphology and cellular interactions of RNA viruses’. This is a 4 year, Royal Society funded DPhil in Condensed Matter Physics, which will be carried out in the labs of Dr. Nicole Robb and Prof. Achilles Kapanidis. The application closing date is midday on Friday 1st June 2018.

The project will involve the development and analysis of stochastic models for biomolecular processes, both analytically and through simulation, and interpreting the results in terms of thermodynamics, computation and information theory (expertise in these particular disciplines is not expected, but an interest is important). Further details, and instructions on how to apply, can be found on the group website.

MSc in Particle & Nuclear Physics
I would be grateful if you could share the attached information with final year undergraduate students. This information details our new MSc programme in Particle & Nuclear Physics. Further information about this programme can be found at www.ph.ed.ac.uk/mscpnp.

Scholarships
Applicants may wish to be considered for our Highly Skilled Workforce Scholarship which has a deadline of 14 May or our £5,000 MSc Prize Scholarship which has a deadline of 18 May 2018.

Further MSc Programmes
For those interested in advanced ideas and techniques relating to theoretical physics, they may wish to apply for our MSc in Theoretical Physics or MSc in Mathematical Physics, details of which can be found at www.ph.ed.ac.uk/msctpmp.

Paid opportunities

Student Mentors required to help with ‘Preparing for the PAT’

Student mentors are required to help support a new course assisting UK students from state schools prepare for the Physics Aptitude Test (PAT). The course will help to develop student’s problem solving skills and apply these to challenging physics and past PAT questions. The students chosen for the course are from a diverse set of backgrounds and abilities and this course may be the only help they receive to help prepare for the PAT.

The course will consist of two face to face workshop days and will be a mixture of teacher led sessions and sessions where the student mentors will lead groups through some problems. The 100 participants will be split into groups of 10, so each student mentor will be responsible for a group of 10 students. Student mentors will also provide feedback on work which their students will be set over the summer vacation.

Requirements
• You should be a second or third year undergraduate, or DPhil student who has some knowledge of the PAT (e.g. took if for your own UG degree or has helped to mark PAT test papers.)
• You must be available to assist with the two workshops on 23rd June and 6th October to be held in the Physics Department at Oxford. The days will run from 9am-4.30pm for mentors (slightly shorter for participants).
• Students will be set 3 pieces of work over the vacation via an online website. They will upload their answers and you must be available to view/mark these and provide feedback via the website. Student deadlines are: 23rd July, 27th August, 24th September and you should aim to provide feedback to your group of 10 students within 1 week of each deadline.
• You must attend a half day of training in the week starting 18th June.
• If you have not recently done outreach events for the department, you may be asked for an interview before confirming your acceptance as a student mentor.

Payment
You will be paid at the higher demonstrator rate (£13.80 per hour) for the workshop days plus up to 9 hours of marking time over the vacation. You will also be paid £30 to attend the training session. You must do a right to work check before any work can be carried out.

There are positions for specialist teachers of Chemistry, Biology or Physics (separate positions for each of the Sciences) in leading independent schools in London and the Home Counties from September, 2018. These are permanent positions which would entail teaching Chemistry, Biology or Physics up to A level. Many of the schools are able to provide accommodation, if needed.

Essential: An excellent academic background including an undergraduate degree in the relevant Science discipline i.e., Chemistry, Biology or Physics.

Desired: A postgraduate degree or in the midst of completing one, as well as a background tutoring or any experience working with children would be a bonus, however, this is certainly not essential.

The successful candidate will be able to convey his/her own enthusiasm, commitment to students of all ages, and a genuine love of learning and enquiry to the students in the department. Academic rigour balanced with an excellent pastoral care and co-curricular programme forms the underpinning for each of the schools. Support to gain a PGCE (Post Graduate Certificate in Education) would be provided.

If you are enthusiastic about Science and would like the opportunity to teach in a vibrant independent school, please forward your CV asap to devra.farhi@harrishill.co.uk or please ask for Devra on: 020 7587 5153 or Mob: 07795 221266 for further details.

The Technical University of Munich (TUM) invites applications for a research position aimed at Early-Stage Researchers (ESR) working towards a Ph.D. in theoretical particle physics. The research will be conducted in Munich in the context of the AMVA4NewPhysics innovative training network (H2020-MSCA-ITN-2015, proposal 675440).

AMVA4NewPhysics stands for a Marie Skłodowska Curie European Action Innovative Training Network (MSCA ITN) titled "Advanced Multivariate Analysis for New Physics Searches at the Large Hadron Collider". Within this network, we are hiring one ESR to work on searches for New Physics and their implications for physics beyond the SM (BSM). The main goal for the ESR will be the application of machine learning tools to searches for new physics manifesting itself in new particles (e.g. supersymmetric partners of the SM) or in Higgs signals. A particular emphasis will be given to the reinterpretation of advanced searches within a public recasting framework.

AMVA4NewPhysics foresees a very rich training program including participation in several international doctoral schools, workshops, and conferences. The TUM ESR the position also foresees a secondment at a partner with expertise in applications of Machine Learning tools.

The positions are open to candidates of any nationality fulfilling the EU mobility criteria: applicants should not have resided or performed their main activity (work, studies, etc) in Germany for more than 12 months in the three years prior to the hiring date. Applicants should be in the first four years (full-time equivalent) of their research careers and not yet have Ph.D. This four-year period is measured from the date of obtaining the degree which would formally entitle to embark on a doctorate (master 120 or equivalent). Applications from female researchers are encouraged as AMVA4NewPhysics applies affirmative action measures to guarantee gender neutrality in the selection process. The position is funded for 16 months through the network and continued funding for the remainder of the PhD will be provided by TUM.

During the time funded by the network the gross scholarship amounts to euro 3072.68/month; in addition to it, a gross mobility allowance of euro 600/month is provided for (which is added to the scholarship). Selected candidates who have a family at the time of recruitment qualify for an additional family allowance of gross 500 per month.

The cost of enrolment in the Ph. D. school and of the doctoral courses, as well as all expenses related to travel to schools, workshops, and network-organized events and internships will be sustained by the network.

Although the positions will remain open until suitable candidates are found, interested persons are encouraged to apply before 31st March 2018. The position can start as early as May 2018. Applications, including curriculum vitae, a list of publications, and at least one letter of recommendation must be send to (andreas.weiler@tum.de).

To install, service and repair Oxford Instruments NanoScience products in line with current safe working practices achieving customer satisfaction against ordered specification
• Able to record and present technical data on system performances.
• Able to diagnose complex system failures and propose effective solutions
• Compliance with all Health and Safety policies and procedures and will actively seek to ensure safe working environment.
• English speaking essential and other European language skills desirable
• Valid driver’s licence required

Suitable candidates must have experience in cryogenics and ideally be working with OI products currently. They will be engaging and able to communicate well with clients face to face. 75% of time will be spent in the field at client site across the UK and EMEA with the remaining time spent at the Tubney Woods site.

Student societies

Interested in STEM outreach or Science Communication? Do you believe that science is fun, exciting and relevant to everyone? Then join us for the 2018 Oxford Hands-On Science Summer Roadshow!

Oxford Hands-On Science (OxHOS) is a student society seeking to spread our enthusiasm for science by taking interactive, hands-on experiments to schools and public venues. We want to show the public that science is awesome and inspire the next generation of scientists.

This year our Roadshow is heading to Oxfordshire, the Peak District and Nottinghamshire, between 16th June and 8th July and we’re looking for keen science students (undergraduate or postgraduate) or University scientists to join us as demonstrators - for some of this time!

If you haven't done any outreach before don't worry - no experience is necessary. We’ll provide training, food, transport, and campsite accommodation for the weeks outside Oxfordshire. So the Roadshow won't cost you a thing. We’re seeking volunteers who can help out over a number of days but any time would be appreciated.

If you’d like to find out more about the Roadshow and the timetable and sign up, please fill in the form oxhos.org/roadshow and we’ll get in touch soon!

The OxHOS Team

Aeronautical Society - Group Trip to RIAT (Royal International Air Tattoo) - RSVP by 9th May

As some of you may know, the Royal International Air Tattoo is coming up this year on July 13-15 at RAF Fairford.

"Few events can rival the intensity, drama and spectacle on offer at the world's greatest airshow. The Air Tattoo, one of the UK's premier outdoor events, returns this summer on 13-15 July and will be marking a very special occasion in 2018, the centenary of the Royal Air Force. As well as commemorating the past achievements, we'll also be celebrating the present and helping to inspire the future of the RAF."

We are planning on organising a group trip to the Air Tattoo. We think that this would provide a great opportunity for our members to attend the event with others from Oxford who are passionate about aviation. Attending as a group will also qualify us for a discount on admission prices: £40 or £45 per person if travelling by coach or meeting at the site respectively, compared to £55 when not in a group. We will need a group of at least 20 people to qualify for the group discount.

Please note that registering your interest will not commit you to anything; we are just trying to get an idea of numbers and preferences for travel and attendance. We will let you know promptly if we have enough interest to make the trip viable, so please do sign up if you want to stay updated!